I have no idea why I have titled this post "Plink". Just felt right.
Sometimes, being broke is particularly rough. I'm having trouble getting my spending under control again. You'd think that I'd be fine, what with working a bunch and such, but I find myself always spending more money than I intend. If I go to Target for one thing, I end up with three other things I had forgotten that I needed. I've been trying to be on a spending freeze, but that doesn't seem to be working so well.
What I really need is a major kick in the teeth. I should be done with vet bills for now. I need to save for plane tickets, but I certainly don't need to be going out a bunch or buying anything that I don't absolutely need.
Each month I start with nothing charged to my ING overdraft. This is where I pull gas and grocery money from, as well as other miscellaneous expenses. Pretty much every month it's got several hundred dollars charged to it that I need to clear. It's driving me bonkers. So I think May is going to be my serious lockdown month. I'm considering taking my card out of my wallet. Drastic times call for drastic measures of course.
Has that ever actually worked for you?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Errors in Judgement
So I took a job for the last month which was a lot of hard work. I put in 30 hours more than I should and subsequently managed to knock my hourly rate (I was getting a flat fee), down to below minimum wage. No fun. I managed to get out of the second half of my contract and am working on something else that is a little more money, a little less driving, and a lot more fulfilling.
My issue here is that in hindsight, I should have gotten more details about the job before I took it. Part of it is that I didn't know the right questions to ask, but part of it also was just my desire to work work work.
I spent 6 weeks without a day off. I might have gone a wee bit crazy around the end there.
So now it's back to working what a normal person works. The only problem is that with that, comes less income and a little more financial stress. I have a $250 vet bill to pay this month, and as it stands, with what I have booked, it's going to have to get pulled out of what has become a miniscule savings account balance.
I'm starting to freak out again because I'm back to making painfully slow progress on my debt. My student loan is costing me a minimum of $608 a month which is about half my expenses. I want to get these payments down but it's so darn hard to find any extra money to throw there. I'm using every penny I have to cover bills and living expenses. So here we go again. It's spending freeze time. Last night I bought enough groceries to last a good long while. I have a couple of things to buy for the garden and a birthday present to get and after that, no more going out, no more nothing. We're going to see if I can get through the month and charge absolutely nothing to my card other than gas.
I feel like I might not be able to pull this one off, but I'm sure going to try!
My issue here is that in hindsight, I should have gotten more details about the job before I took it. Part of it is that I didn't know the right questions to ask, but part of it also was just my desire to work work work.
I spent 6 weeks without a day off. I might have gone a wee bit crazy around the end there.
So now it's back to working what a normal person works. The only problem is that with that, comes less income and a little more financial stress. I have a $250 vet bill to pay this month, and as it stands, with what I have booked, it's going to have to get pulled out of what has become a miniscule savings account balance.
I'm starting to freak out again because I'm back to making painfully slow progress on my debt. My student loan is costing me a minimum of $608 a month which is about half my expenses. I want to get these payments down but it's so darn hard to find any extra money to throw there. I'm using every penny I have to cover bills and living expenses. So here we go again. It's spending freeze time. Last night I bought enough groceries to last a good long while. I have a couple of things to buy for the garden and a birthday present to get and after that, no more going out, no more nothing. We're going to see if I can get through the month and charge absolutely nothing to my card other than gas.
I feel like I might not be able to pull this one off, but I'm sure going to try!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
HItting Monthly Goals
So I've been working on keeping to a couple of goals. I've been doing pretty well. I've been completing a pair of socks each month as planned, though I've had a bit of a leg up (no pun intended) the last couple of months because they've already been partially finished.
Also been keeping up with the reading. I've finished I think four books so far, though unfortunately I still have 60 to go this year. I'm not giving up hope yet, but I'm definitely going to have to do better.
I've started working on paying extra on to my student loan. It's only been a little bit, $21 last month, but the idea here is to lower my monthly payments. Because I'm freelancing, I don't have a guaranteed income, so the lower the amount of money I have to make to stay afloat, the better. I'm hoping to get it down to payments of $400 this year. So far my payments are $609. I have 37 monthly payments more to make. Scary scary number.
I'm keeping my spending down when I can. I've been eating out more than I should be of course, but I'm working on getting that under control again. Also hoping that as spring comes, our utilities are lower and that will certainly help.
Doing okay on the work front. My nine week gig ends soon, but I just started another one. It doesn't pay stunningly well, but the work is kind of fun and I don't have too many hours. I can do other things in the meantime.
Other than that, just plodding along feeling a little stuck, but progressing as best I can.
Also been keeping up with the reading. I've finished I think four books so far, though unfortunately I still have 60 to go this year. I'm not giving up hope yet, but I'm definitely going to have to do better.
I've started working on paying extra on to my student loan. It's only been a little bit, $21 last month, but the idea here is to lower my monthly payments. Because I'm freelancing, I don't have a guaranteed income, so the lower the amount of money I have to make to stay afloat, the better. I'm hoping to get it down to payments of $400 this year. So far my payments are $609. I have 37 monthly payments more to make. Scary scary number.
I'm keeping my spending down when I can. I've been eating out more than I should be of course, but I'm working on getting that under control again. Also hoping that as spring comes, our utilities are lower and that will certainly help.
Doing okay on the work front. My nine week gig ends soon, but I just started another one. It doesn't pay stunningly well, but the work is kind of fun and I don't have too many hours. I can do other things in the meantime.
Other than that, just plodding along feeling a little stuck, but progressing as best I can.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
In the Interest of Not Being Thought to Be Dead
Darnit I disappeared again! No excuse.
So, the last 6 weeks have been terribly busy. I'm on week 6 of a 9 week gig and though it has been grueling and challenging (which I actually like), it has also been great for my finances. I've had a few normal hiccups, like vet bills and such, but the last two months I have hit my monthly necessity goal and been able to not pull anything out of my emergency fund.
Now the bad news. Taxes are coming. Taxes are one the most frustrating things for me because I never seem to get it right in my head what will happen.
Last year, working my 9-5 corporate job may have paid off $11,000 in debt, but it also pushed me into a higher tax bracket, so I owe money. A lot of money. More money than is left in my emergency fund. So, I'm remaining calm and working hard and hoping that I can get this all balanced out somehow.
One of the things that I do that can sometimes be a little crazy is, I never turn down work if I can technically do it. So you might find me getting up at 7am to drive an hour to go and install a set for six hours, then driving directly to my regular gig and setting up and stage managing a show, then going to have dinner with my heavily neglected best friend, then heading back home to sit up and do paperwork, then crashing at 2am, getting up at 8am, and doing it all again. It's busy, it's crazy, it's exhausting, but boy is it ever fun.
And this is how I make ends meet. A little here, a little there. Have crescent wrench, will travel. In this profession how can I not? I could have three weeks where I get no work, run out of red wine entirely, and watch 31 episodes of Stargate SG1 in four days. Keeping busy is good. Working is good. Being able to pay my bills is good.
Now if you will excuse me, I have a two show day to prepare for and someone has to handle the fake snow.
So, the last 6 weeks have been terribly busy. I'm on week 6 of a 9 week gig and though it has been grueling and challenging (which I actually like), it has also been great for my finances. I've had a few normal hiccups, like vet bills and such, but the last two months I have hit my monthly necessity goal and been able to not pull anything out of my emergency fund.
Now the bad news. Taxes are coming. Taxes are one the most frustrating things for me because I never seem to get it right in my head what will happen.
Last year, working my 9-5 corporate job may have paid off $11,000 in debt, but it also pushed me into a higher tax bracket, so I owe money. A lot of money. More money than is left in my emergency fund. So, I'm remaining calm and working hard and hoping that I can get this all balanced out somehow.
One of the things that I do that can sometimes be a little crazy is, I never turn down work if I can technically do it. So you might find me getting up at 7am to drive an hour to go and install a set for six hours, then driving directly to my regular gig and setting up and stage managing a show, then going to have dinner with my heavily neglected best friend, then heading back home to sit up and do paperwork, then crashing at 2am, getting up at 8am, and doing it all again. It's busy, it's crazy, it's exhausting, but boy is it ever fun.
And this is how I make ends meet. A little here, a little there. Have crescent wrench, will travel. In this profession how can I not? I could have three weeks where I get no work, run out of red wine entirely, and watch 31 episodes of Stargate SG1 in four days. Keeping busy is good. Working is good. Being able to pay my bills is good.
Now if you will excuse me, I have a two show day to prepare for and someone has to handle the fake snow.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Saving Money in Odd Places
Now that I'm back to my regularly scheduled "holy cow I'm broke" routine, I may randomly throw a few of my money saving tips your way. And this one is for the ladies out there (or the boys, hey, I'm no judge and I love bold guys).
A while ago, I went to my doctor and mentioned that my eyes are sometimes itchy. She recommended that I was more vigilant about removing my eye makeup (I have been known to refer to my mascara as armor). She told me to try using baby shampoo to remove my eye make-up with at night and I tell you something, that woman is an absolute genius. I put just the tiniest dab of baby shampoo which is $3.99 for 20 fl oz on a damp cotton ball, swipe it over my eyelids, then flip over the cotton ball and use the clean side to wipe up any shampoo residue.
It's amazing, fast, no tears is true, and it's amazingly cheap. I think that bottle of shampoo will probably last me for several years. I've been doing this for four months and I've made no noticeable dent at all in the bottle.
On another note, this month I think might be my very first month that I "break even", meaning that my income covers my living expenses (not counting gas and food). Fingers crossed!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thank Goodness for the End!
I'm so glad that this year is drawing to a close. It's just been a rough year and t being over brings me stupid amounts of hope and joy.
Be Published in a National Magazine - NOT DONE. I tried.
This was a tentative goal for last year and I am still hoping that it occurs.
Go to a different country other than England - NOT DONE - Rough year
I love to travel, and go to England often because my family lives there. This year I would really like to go to a different country as well as the UK. I'm shooting for France, but we have no firm plans.
Go on two auditions - DONE if you count voice overs. I actually also was filmed as an extra so I consider that fine.
I've done a little acting before, and I went on one audition in 2008, so I'm going to do it twice in 2009. It really helps me get outside of my comfort zone and I would love to get more stage experience.
Learn Basic French - NOT DONE. I suck.
I've wanted to do this forever but never actually set it as a goal.
Read 2 Books per Month - NOT DONE. I'll be beefing this one up. See below.
I have a bookcase full of unread books and I really want to knuckle down and read more. I'm a tad embarrassed about how little I read these days.
Get a Voice over agent - DONE. I have one. I never get work though :-)
This is a really big goal and one that I hope to accomplish fairly quickly. I've done voice over work before and I really love it. I would like to sign with an agency because it's a hard market to break in to.
Get this blog to over 200 subscribers - NOT DONE. 55 of you are awesome though and I love you.
At the moment I have 40 subscribers.
It's been tough. A lot of things have changed for me but I have to say, one thing is nice.... my life isn't ruled by money and debt any more. I paid off a lot of money this year, and though I have a long way to go, I am finally settling into my chosen career. I'm happy with what I'm doing and you can't put a price on that. Sometimes I still get unsettled and concerned, and I still don't know if I can financially make this all work, but I'm going to continue to work my butt off and try. And, like I said, happy is good.
So, lets take a quick look back to the goals that I set for myself for the year. Here they are:
Financial Goals
Pay off all non-student loan debt - DONE! No more credit cards or loans!
This is my credit card and my scooter loan and it currently stands at around $6500.
Get Net Worth below -$20,000 - DONE! It's around -$18,000 now
This would mean increasing by Networth by about $7000.
Get Emergency Fund to $2,000 - DONE, but it's at $1800 now because I just paid bills
This currently stands at just under $500.
Get Student Loan to below $20,000 - NOT DONE - It's at around $23,000 still.
This means paying off $3,811 of my loan.
2009 Goal:
Pay off all non-student loan debt - DONE! No more credit cards or loans!
This is my credit card and my scooter loan and it currently stands at around $6500.
Get Net Worth below -$20,000 - DONE! It's around -$18,000 now
This would mean increasing by Networth by about $7000.
Get Emergency Fund to $2,000 - DONE, but it's at $1800 now because I just paid bills
This currently stands at just under $500.
Get Student Loan to below $20,000 - NOT DONE - It's at around $23,000 still.
This means paying off $3,811 of my loan.
2009 Goal:
Reach my Target Weight - NOT DONE. I lost 8lb though so I'm happy.
I gained about 20lb over the last year and a half and my target weight means that I need to lose 13 of them.
I gained about 20lb over the last year and a half and my target weight means that I need to lose 13 of them.
Be Published in a National Magazine - NOT DONE. I tried.
This was a tentative goal for last year and I am still hoping that it occurs.
Go to a different country other than England - NOT DONE - Rough year
I love to travel, and go to England often because my family lives there. This year I would really like to go to a different country as well as the UK. I'm shooting for France, but we have no firm plans.
Go on two auditions - DONE if you count voice overs. I actually also was filmed as an extra so I consider that fine.
I've done a little acting before, and I went on one audition in 2008, so I'm going to do it twice in 2009. It really helps me get outside of my comfort zone and I would love to get more stage experience.
Learn Basic French - NOT DONE. I suck.
I've wanted to do this forever but never actually set it as a goal.
Read 2 Books per Month - NOT DONE. I'll be beefing this one up. See below.
I have a bookcase full of unread books and I really want to knuckle down and read more. I'm a tad embarrassed about how little I read these days.
Get a Voice over agent - DONE. I have one. I never get work though :-)
This is a really big goal and one that I hope to accomplish fairly quickly. I've done voice over work before and I really love it. I would like to sign with an agency because it's a hard market to break in to.
Get this blog to over 200 subscribers - NOT DONE. 55 of you are awesome though and I love you.
At the moment I have 40 subscribers.
2010 Goals
Financial Goals
1. Get Emergency Fund to $3,000 and maintain it at that level.
2. Do not carry a balance on any credit card for the whole year.
3. Break even as a freelancer by covering all living and discretionary spending.
4. Pay enough extra on student loan to reduce payments to $400 a month.
Personal Goals
1. Read all of the unread books on my bookshelf by the end of the year. That is a total of 63 books. This is going to be a real challenge, but I'm determined to try. Some of them are fairly short :-)
2. Learn basic french. This is a repeat goal. I'll try to do better.
3. Finish a pair of socks every month. I love to knit and I want to be better about making socks, for myself and other people. There really is nothing quite like hand-knit socks.
4. Work with Chris Kayser. I have a list of Atlanta Theatre "stars" that I want to work with, and he is at the top of the list.
5. Submit a resume to Cirque du Soleil. I've been trying to pluck up the courage to do this. Have to really really try.
6. Climb the scary ladder at the Tavern. It's very tall, very wooden, very rickety, and it goes from angled to vertical. I swear I won't let it beat me this year!
So there we have it. Another year finally drawing to a close. Good riddance and good luck!
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